Well, here we are again... back at NEADS... I have come to understand that we visit NEADS once a month.. Mom calls it a "check in"... and we talk with Dave, and visit with Sherrie and get all the news on what's happening... but right now... we're waiting for Dave....
Moxie came with us this trip... she finds this all very boring. Now that she is doing her therapy dog work, and not service dog work, she wonders why her Daddy sometimes brings her all this way. She has heard all this before!!!!
and Otis, I think feels the same way.... that's one really nice thing for us puppies, we have these great mature dogs to hang around with and see how we're all suppose to do it.
But even after Dave comes, it's still not exciting, the humans have a great time, talking to each other.. talking about us... and we... well... we get to do this. Be quiet and wait.... ho hum!!!!
Finally, they have all their talking done and we head outside to go on our training field trip. Today was a very pretty day and Mom took this picture of me sitting up on the stone wall. Mom told me she is not very excited about our adventure because we are going to the "Halloween store"... I don't know what that is (yet) but Mom already doesn't like going there.....
First order of business, though... lunch. Now the humans often eat at the big hospital, but today they went to a restaurant. I think this is about the first restaurant I have officially been to. It was super crowded, and some of the people watched as we service dogs walked in......
And quickly and quieted "hid" under the tables. Only the people who saw us walk in knew we were there... other people, who came in after us, didn't even know until we left. Mom said she was so proud of me, and was very pleased that I know what the "rules" are when it comes to being around human food.....
Next stop was the Halloween store. Ok, I admit it was a bit strange... all sorts of sounds, and things that popped up or jumped out at us (I think that what Mom isn't too happy about).... And then, we look about and see "this" coming at us....
Silly Dave!!! did he really think that we didn't know it was him??? Both Rayvan and I ran right over to him and said hello. I don't know why he had that mask thing on, but we knew the whole time!!!!!
Linda and Otis walked about the store, checking out all the creepy things. Mom didn't though, she basically took me around and then was more than happy to get this done with. Mom isn't a fan of Halloween to begin with (so I am learning), but she knows that this is good training for me to see all sort of things that are different....
So, we walked about and did some of our obedience work, and then had a little puppy chat about all of this foolishness.....
Really, Mom... it's not big deal.. all of this stuff is fake... but if you need me for any reason... I am here!!!!
Look, I'll even "eat" this zombie baby if you need me too......
After the Halloween store, we walked around the mall next door. Mom felt much better about that.... and then, the day was done and it was time to head home. Another month's check in .. done..
but I will agree that the Harvestfest we went to was much better... however, Mom said that "passing in the Halloween store" is a pretty big deal, and she was glad that I did so well. I might be a little on the small size, but I am a pretty brave girl, and it would seem that Mom thinks I'm pretty special!!!
and that just .... another day with... Debbie!!!!!
A beautiful fall day, and we're off on another adventure!!! Mom calls this "harvestfest" and it's in the town that she used to live in. We met up with Kas and Reagan, and walked into town to see the sights. I saw that there were lots of these "things".. all about. Mom called the "scare crows and pumpkin people" I thought they were kind of interesting"... and you know Mom, we had to get pictures!!!!!
There were tents with all sorts of things in them. And a number of people all looking around... Mom liked to look at alot of things, and I was asked to sit and wait quietly while she did. Many people commented on what a well behaved puppy I was.
At lunch time there wasn't any place for me to "under"... so I just laid in the sunshine and enjoyed the day and the place.
At some of the tents, we had to walk carefully.. Mom said that there were things that could break. But at this one tent, I noticed something very interesting, and stood for the longest time looking.... yup, that's me in that mirror....
The food sure smelled good.. but pretty much as I had already figured... none of it was for me. I often had to stand in line and wait with Mom while she bought something good... but since I knew I wouldn't have any, I just waited. That really impressed some people, and many said... "my dog would never be so quiet and patient around all this food"... guess I showed them how good I can be!!!
More pumpkin people.... Mom wanted to be very sure that they didn't scare me... which they never did....
However, I will say that a few dogs .. were afraid of them, and some of them barked and carried on so.... not sure what bothered them.... but I thought they were kind of silly....
Reagan and I had a great day together, and I would love more adventures like this one (not so boring!!!)... and that's just another...
day with Debbie!!!!
There's a change in the air... I am noticing that the mornings and nights are cooler.. and the leave on the trees are changing color and falling off!!!! Mom says that "fall is here" and there are going to be all sorts of new things for me to see.....
A few mornings on the farm have been grey like this one... and then early one morning, I went out and found the grass to be very cold and slippery.. Mom said that we "had a frost"..... I have to say I liked licking that "icy" grass....
The horses notice the change too.. old Silver has seen many "falls".. and he's now growing in a fuzzy coat. Mom said the horses need extra coats, because they don't live inside like I do... I like the horses, especially Silver... he's very gentle and kind to dogs....
It seems that Tonka and Duke are getting as much of the grass as they can. Mom said that now we have had our first frost, there won't be much in the pasture to munch on....
And I went to my first party. Mom's cousin is "retiring" and we were invite to come and celebrate. There were a lot of people there, and it was noisy ... and there was food!!! I was pretty interested in all that food and Mom had to keep reminding me that it wasn't for dogs!!!! She says I need more practice with that....
Reagan was at the party too. He was so happy to discover me under the table and he kept reaching out to me. I love babies.. I love Reagan, and Mom didn't say anything when I got up and just had to spend a little time with him....
I thought we were there for a long time, and since I knew that Mom would be certain that I was good, I decided it was just best to get comfortable and wait.....
Towards the end of the evening, Mom did allow a few people to say hello .... but again, she is keeping me more in a "work mode" these days when we are out in public. However I did have to get a little kiss in with baby Caroline.... Mom says she likes me to be around kids and babies and makes sure that I am very gentle with them... which I always am....
The next day, Mom was so excited when she came in from getting the mail. A very special letter had arrived!!!! A letter saying that Rylie had completed her advance training and had been matched!!! Mom is so happy and says that one day, she plans to get this same letter... about me!!!! She says that is what we are working towards... but, that is still some ways off and there is much to do...
in these ... "days with Debbie".......
ahhhh.... road trip!!! This morning, Mom and Dad were up early (Dad didn't go to work).. Mom said we had to make a road trip and that Camille and I could come. (she wanted to bring all the dogs, but since we were going in Dad's truck, there really wasn't room)...The sun was nice and warm, and there was plenty of room on the back seat... for me.......
Camille slept on the floor.......
My Dad is working on a big project... he is restoring an antique handtub (aka fire engine) and some of the part of the engine are going to another place for the work that has to be done on them. Mom thought that taking the long car ride and "being a good girl" would be a nice training day for me....
The place we saw was filled with all sorts of "firetrucks" and when the owner saw how well behaved both me and Camille were, he invited us to come in as well. Mom says that all "good children and puppies get privileges".... that's a good thing!!!!
Dad left the wheels of the handtub for Andy to look over and fix up......
And while he talked with Andy.. Mom, Camille and I walked around and got some pictures taken. Now, I'm just a puppy and I don't know about things like this.. but Mom said not too many people get to see fire engines like this one... so for a puppy to see them is a rare treat....
"whatever"... I just did my sit stay so she could take pictures.... that made her happy.....
And more pictures... (I think I heard a mouse in this truck, so it was hard to pay attention....)
Basically, I really wasn't interested in the whole thing - Mom and Dad certainly were... but I say, as long as I can go along, see all sorts of new and different things... then it has to be a good day.....
and so it is.... a "good" day with Debbie!!!!!!
